Playing with an idea...
Discussion
Not done this myself (yet) as I don't know if it is already implemented on the standard dash set or not.
The backlighting to the standard T dashes is usually green in colour when the lights are on.
The dash has three lights which are used to indicate shift warnings - green, amber and red.
The colours change when the revs get too high and need changing.
Bog standard so far.
Now, my idea/question is to modify the dash ECU, backlighting LEDs to change colour at the
same time as the shift lights.
So, green is normal backlighting. Amber changes the backlighting to amber, and red etc.
Now my question - is this already standard behaviour on the T cars? Never pushed the shifting
up that far, so not sure if this is already the behaviour. I doubt it is, but just wanted to check.
Cheers!
The backlighting to the standard T dashes is usually green in colour when the lights are on.
The dash has three lights which are used to indicate shift warnings - green, amber and red.
The colours change when the revs get too high and need changing.
Bog standard so far.
Now, my idea/question is to modify the dash ECU, backlighting LEDs to change colour at the
same time as the shift lights.
So, green is normal backlighting. Amber changes the backlighting to amber, and red etc.
Now my question - is this already standard behaviour on the T cars? Never pushed the shifting
up that far, so not sure if this is already the behaviour. I doubt it is, but just wanted to check.
Cheers!
Sevenman said:
It is as far as you want it to be - you can set the shift lights in the menu. I selected a conservative 5500, 6000 and 6500 for green / amber / red.
Cheers, yes, I know it is programmable. I've never modded the base settings myself. :PHowever, I was just interested in if the behaviour was as stated above, which it looks like it isn't.
So, I'll add that to my list of things to look into this year.
If anyone else is interested in this please project let me know asap.
I'm going to be sourcing the LED strips to a specification given to me by Paul, so would want to ensure I have enough length for all those
who might be interested in doing their dashes as well.
I may ask for a small contribution to the cost if a large number of people ask, but given the pricing of LED strips by the meter, it would
be very small.
Cheers!
I'm going to be sourcing the LED strips to a specification given to me by Paul, so would want to ensure I have enough length for all those
who might be interested in doing their dashes as well.
I may ask for a small contribution to the cost if a large number of people ask, but given the pricing of LED strips by the meter, it would
be very small.
Cheers!
Edited by alex_gray255 on Wednesday 17th April 13:27
Good point.
I discussed the concept with Paul yesterday and revised the original idea slightly.
Effectively, it will be a two stage - green and red.
Green = normal
Red = red shift light
Similar fashion to how the Tuscan does it.
Not saying that will be the final solution as these things always need to be adapted, but that should be
the working plan.
The LEDs Paul has spec'ed however will support the RGB range, so more colours are possible if needed.
I discussed the concept with Paul yesterday and revised the original idea slightly.
Effectively, it will be a two stage - green and red.
Green = normal
Red = red shift light
Similar fashion to how the Tuscan does it.
Not saying that will be the final solution as these things always need to be adapted, but that should be
the working plan.
The LEDs Paul has spec'ed however will support the RGB range, so more colours are possible if needed.
Ok, spoken to a few suppliers today and a full RGB system for the required 6mm strip will need a specific circuit design/setup for the run.
Just getting a few quotes - but might be a few hundred quid in all (day rate for design and machine setup + materials), but once done Paul should be able to use the LED tape to do whatever PCB work people want.
I'm going to speak to other suppliers next week to see if some have them already done and/or cheaper quotes, then I'll go with the cheapest.
The red/green option is much cheaper, but I like the thought of having the full range LEDs to be able to program it however we might want.
I'll drop emails of the options to those who have said they are interested and see what the split is before I commit to any.
Just getting a few quotes - but might be a few hundred quid in all (day rate for design and machine setup + materials), but once done Paul should be able to use the LED tape to do whatever PCB work people want.
I'm going to speak to other suppliers next week to see if some have them already done and/or cheaper quotes, then I'll go with the cheapest.
The red/green option is much cheaper, but I like the thought of having the full range LEDs to be able to program it however we might want.
I'll drop emails of the options to those who have said they are interested and see what the split is before I commit to any.
Ok, had some feedback on this - at least one quote - still waiting for a few others.
The red/green option is not doable, it has to be a full RBG LED mostly due to design issues.
I'm getting the spec with the quote and will confirm with Paul Smith.
Not as cheap as I had hoped, maybe a couple of hundred quid each assuming how many people
put their names down (I see three). Each extra person reduces that significantly.
This is for the LED tape, associated PCBs, design time, LEDs etc.
It will not include any of the controllers necessary to install it in the dash as Paul will need to do that.
The cost of length is not really relevant - it is the cost of doing the design and run setup.
The red/green option is not doable, it has to be a full RBG LED mostly due to design issues.
I'm getting the spec with the quote and will confirm with Paul Smith.
Not as cheap as I had hoped, maybe a couple of hundred quid each assuming how many people
put their names down (I see three). Each extra person reduces that significantly.
This is for the LED tape, associated PCBs, design time, LEDs etc.
It will not include any of the controllers necessary to install it in the dash as Paul will need to do that.
The cost of length is not really relevant - it is the cost of doing the design and run setup.
Ok, coming back to this project now, I've been working with Paul Smith to get a new set of dash binnacle and LED PCB circuits designed which will essentially change the colour of the backlighting based on shift lights like other more modern cars and other TVRs.
The original thoughts about special LEDs proved to be too costly, so we have a much cheaper alternative in mind which Paul and I have now got some designs for done.
I have a few others interested (which I am keeping in the loop) and will post photos of the prototype once it has been completed and fitted.
The aluminium vent work is a bit stalled at the moment with some design issues, so will come back to that once once those have been sorted out.
This may become a sellable product if enough people want it, but it would be strictly on an order by order basis (and not through me - although happy to set things up as I have a distribution point in mind for it).
The original thoughts about special LEDs proved to be too costly, so we have a much cheaper alternative in mind which Paul and I have now got some designs for done.
I have a few others interested (which I am keeping in the loop) and will post photos of the prototype once it has been completed and fitted.
The aluminium vent work is a bit stalled at the moment with some design issues, so will come back to that once once those have been sorted out.
This may become a sellable product if enough people want it, but it would be strictly on an order by order basis (and not through me - although happy to set things up as I have a distribution point in mind for it).
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